[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 51 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN TRIBUTE TO DAVID LEON FORD

                                 ______


                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 1996

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, 33 Americans were taken from us far too 
early in the plane that crashed April 3 near Dubrovnik. This morning, 
we paid tribute to our good friend, Secretary Ron Brown. At this time, 
I want to commemorate one of those brave souls traveling with the 
Secretary, Mr. David L. Ford.
  David Ford was one of 12 American business executives accompanying 
Secretary Brown on a mission with the most noble goal of helping the 
people of Bosnia and Croatia to rebuild their war-ravaged countries. An 
executive with Guardian Industries, headquartered in Michigan, David 
was to donate 23 metric tons of flat glass to Sarajevo, enough to 
produce about 8,000 windows for use in rebuilding the Bosnia capital. 
After the trade mission ended in tragedy, the glass was delivered to 
Sarajevo as planned and donated to the people by the U.S. Embassy.
  David Ford's career at Guardian began in 1971, and he spent time at 
its facilities around the country, including several years at the 
Guardian plant in Carleton, MI, in my congressional district. He helped 
lead his company's expansion into the European market, and at the time 
he was taken from us he headed Guardian's European operations.
  We will remember David Ford as a successful businessman, but more 
importantly, his wife and two children will remember him as a loving 
husband and devoted father. He was a deeply religious man, who before 
his passing was able to provide some desperately needed relief to the 
people of Sarajevo. There, his final effort will be honored by a 
plaque.
  I know that my colleagues join me in sending our thoughts and prayers 
to his family.

                          ____________________